SIONED Williams MS writes to Transport Secretary about the four-year wait for legislation to improve buses.
During Catch the Bus Month, Member of Senedd for South Wales West Sioned Williams has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport about the severe delays to the much promised Bus Bill.
The Bus Bill intends to reverse the de-regulated framework in which bus services currently operate in, and give new powers to local authorities to plan and deliver bus services for their communities.
While the Bus Services (Wales) Bill was originally introduced in 2020, the pandemic forced the Government to withdraw it. In 2022 the Welsh Government published a new White Paper on bus service governance reform, and has been promising legislative action since.
Despite only coming into office in July, the UK Transport Secretary has already laid the groundwork for bus franchising and local authority operated bus services in England, with legislation already laid before the House of Commons.
The delay in Wales has prompted Ms Williams to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates MS, to ask about the delays in the Bus Bill, whether there has been progress in recovering passenger numbers since the pandemic – a key driver in the difficulties faced by bus operators in recent years, the actions the Welsh Government is taking to promote bus travel during Catch the Bus Month, and assurances over the future of concessionary bus travel.
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said: “It’s an experience shared by many bus users – your bus is late, you’re waiting patiently, it sometimes never turns up, or you finally see a bus on the horizon but it’s not the one you want.
“I’ve had constituents tell me they’ve been left stranded miles from home and have had to use expensive taxis to get back safely. Others have had bus routes cancelled, which makes getting to school or work very difficult.
“After years of waiting, Welsh bus users can finally see a Labour Government introduce legislation to improve bus services, but it’s the UK Labour Government introducing legislation for England. For a Welsh Bus Bill, we will have to wait until next year.”
“This is not good enough. Buses are essential services that contribute enormously to the wealth, health, and wellbeing of my constituents, with many relying on buses for education, employment, and key public services. Bus users across Wales have waited long enough and cannot afford any more delays.”
